Not Quite Mortal • HoO

XVII Miranda Atwood

 "You're back," I said, pointing out the obvious.

First thing the Monday after spring break ended, here we were in math class again. Annabeth had her book open and was frantically scribbling out numbers as she hunched over its pages.

"Mhmm," she nodded.

"Didn't have time for homework?"

"Nnn."

I took my normal seat next to her and wondered what I should do. I knew that Maddie, Neoma and Leta were up to something, but would warning Annabeth do any good when I didn't know what would happen? I had done my best to avoid them out in the hallway instead of gathering more information from them.

"Annabeth?" I asked.

She didn't respond.

"Are you and Percy going to prom?"

She finished the problem she was on and then looked at me curiously. "We haven't talked about it. We don't usually go to school events, though. Why?"

I bit my lip. "I was just wondering."

"Are you going?" It was her turn to ask the question.

I laughed. "I doubt it. You and Percy aren't going, and I don't think Andrew or Savannah will either. Why would I go without friends?"

"You could ask someone to go with you," she pointed out.

I shrugged, and was saved from having to answer by the ringing of the bell, and start of class by our teacher. I didn't have to tell her that there would be no point in asking anyone when I didn't know anyone who would say yes.

0o0o0

"Miranda!" someone said my name as they looped their arm with mine in the hallway. I turned to face them, and was greeted by Leta's beaming smile. She pulled me in close to her group, and kept on smiling, her expression trying to tell me how important, how precious I was.

Leta always made people feel like they were invincible, only to be disappointed in them later. And they all went back to her anyway, desperate to taste more of that invulnerable power.

"Did you find out if Percy is going to prom with Annabeth?"

"No," I lied. I didn't want to be their spy, and I didn't want them to see this as an opportunity.

It was too late for that, however.

"I guess we'll just have to trust in fate then," Neoma said. I was surprised to see that she actually looked tense. Her fingers twitched slightly, and her smile seemed forced.

Leta looked at her with sympathy. "Don't worry, Neoma, I'm sure everything will go just as planned." She turned to me. "We'll fill you in at lunch, if you want. We're going to eat outside, just meet us at the south entrance."

"I'll think about it," I said. I wasn't sure I should get any more involved. I didn't have to stop their plan - if they followed through, they would see just how foolish it was.

Maddie grabbed my hand as I started to walk away. "Please," she whispered.

Maddie had always been a difficult person to resist.

0o0o0

Lunchtime, I stopped at the cafeteria to let my normal friends know that I'd been invited to eat out.

Annabeth had this odd look in her eye when I said the words, and her mouth turned to a small smile. I realized that bringing up prom earlier and then being "invited out" might have given the wrong impression, but I didn't correct her. It was better that she didn't know I was associated with Leta, Neoma, and Maddie.